Understanding the methods of essential oil extraction

Understanding the Methods of Essential Oil Extraction

  • Essential oil extraction refers to the process of taking a plant and converting it into a highly concentrated substance known as an essential oil.
  • These oils capture the healing and therapeutic properties of the plants and can be used in a variety of ways for well-being and treatments.

Types of Extraction Methods

1. Steam Distillation

  • Steam Distillation is one of the most common methods used for extracting essential oils.
  • The plant is placed in a still and steam or water is passed through it.
  • The heat causes the plant’s cells to open, releasing the essential oil which vaporises and travels upwards with the steam.
  • This vapour is then cooled and condensed, the water and oil are separated, and the oil is collected.

2. Cold Press Extraction

  • Cold Press Extraction, or expression, is often used for citrus oils such as orange, lemon, and bergamot.
  • It involves mechanically pressing and grinding the plant until the oil is released.
  • In this method, no heat is used which means the essential oil retains all its natural and therapeutic properties.

3. Solvent Extraction

  • Solvent Extraction is used for delicate plants that cannot handle the heat of steam distillation, like jasmine or rose.
  • In this method, a solvent, such as alcohol, is added to the plant material to dissolve the essential oil.
  • The solvent and essential oil are then separated leaving a type of oil known as an absolute.
  • However, this method can leave traces of the solvent behind in the oil, so it’s less commonly used in aromatherapy.

4. CO2 Extraction

  • CO2 Extraction uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and low temperature to extract essential oils from plants.
  • This method is very efficient and produces a very pure oil, but it requires more complex equipment and is hence more expensive.

Safety Considerations

  • Regardless of the method used, it’s important to remember that essential oils are highly concentrated substances.
  • They should always be handled with care and usually diluted before use.
  • As a beauty therapist, it’s crucial to understand these methods to select the highest quality oils for treatments and to provide appropriate guidance to clients.